’People can pick a side,’ says teen whose tattoo landed dad in court
A truckie dad taken to court by his ex-wife for allegedly letting their teenage daughter get a tattoo says he’s relieved one charge against him has been dropped. His daughter spoke to The Daily Telegraph about the novel legal case.
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A truckie who was taken to court by his ex-wife after allegedly letting their teen daughter get a tattoo says he is relieved one charge against him has been dropped.
Brad Victory appeared in Picton Local Court on Wednesday and formally pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a more serious charge of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was withdrawn.
Court documents allege Mr Victory, 45, of Tahmoor, caused the permanent tattoo of the dreamcatcher — a symbol of good luck — to be placed on the left calf of Casey Victory when she was 16 at Picton Tattoos last New Year’s Eve.
Mr Victory said it was a relief the more serious charge was withdrawn after he was privately prosecuted by ex-wife Nadene Rees, of Hill Top, who he shares three children with.
“It’s very good, I’m very pleased that was withdrawn – hopefully the rest will get thrown out later on,” Mr Victory said.
“I want to get all of this out of the way … I’ve just had enough.”
Casey, now 17, who was at court to support her father and who gave her consent to being identified, said it had been a whirlwind since The Daily Telegraph broke the story of the novel legal case in July.
“Everyone knows my leg – it’s a bit exciting, everyone can hear my story and hear my side,” she said.
“They can pick a side if they think I’m right and dad’s right or my mother’s right, but I think we’ve done the right thing. I’m pretty sure we’re in the right.
“Most people say that dad’s in the right, he signed off on it and I was of the age. Other people are saying, well I should’ve told my mother.”
Magistrate Ian Cheetham had told the court he was unsure if he had the power to deal with the more serious charge because Ms Rees was named as the informant on Mr Victory’s court attendance notice.
“I’ve got a court attendance notice that alleges a strictly indictable offence … the DPP should appear,” the magistrate said.
“I‘m concerned about the CAN naming a private informant. I’m troubled whether that applies for strictly indictable offences … I’m not sure I’ve got jurisdiction until at least that’s formally withdrawn. I don’t want to exercise jurisdiction I don’t have, that’s my position.”
Barrister Leigh Finch, acting on behalf of Ms Rees, withdrew the more serious charge of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The matter will return to court for a hearing on the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge next year.
Under NSW law, it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 without written permission from a parent or guardian.
Mr Victory, represented by lawyer Caroline Shiels, argued in court documents he signed a consent form before she got the ink.
He was not charged by police over the incident.